Assessment Information

Strategic Assessment in the School District of the Menomonie Area

The School District of the Menomonie Area uses a strategic assessment system consisting of instructor and resource developed formative, interim and summative assessments at the classroom, grade, and department levels.  These assessments consist of unit, class and grade specific pre and post assessments and are common among grade and department levels.

What State Assessment(s) will my student be taking in the SDMA?

How State Assessment(s) are used in the SDMA

 SDMA Assessment Calendar
Select Link Above

 

 

Assessments Given in The School District of The Menomonie Area

Wisconsin Student Assessment System

All students within the SDMA participate in the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS). The WSAS is a comprehensive statewide program designed to provide information about what students know in core academic areas and whether they can apply what they know. The WSAS includes:

  • ACCESS for ELLs - at grades K-12 as identified. (Federal and state laws require that students identified as English Learners (ELs) be assessed annually to determine their level of English language proficiency (ELP) and ensure that they are progressing in achieving full English proficiency. This includes students who receive special education services).

Information about the WSAS assessments can be accessed on the WI Department of Public Instruction website by selecting the links for each assessment above.

District Level Screening Assessments

Students within the SDMA participate in the in district screening assessments in the areas of literacy and mathematics. The assessments used within the SDMA include:

Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) In grade 4K - PALS-PreK is designed to be administered to four-year-olds in the fall of PreK in order to guide instruction during the year. A second administration in the spring of PreK serves to evaluate progress.

Star Early Literacy in grades K-2
Star Early Literacy is a customized reading test students to take on a computer. The test is designed for students in grades pre-K through 3 (beginning readers who do not yet read independently or need early literacy skills assessed). Teachers in the SDMA use Star Early Literacy to determine the reading level of each student and to measure growth. Students typically finish a Star Early Literacy test in about 15 minutes.


Star Reading in grades 3-11
Star Reading is a customized reading test for students to take on a computer. Teachers in the SDMA use Star Reading to assist in determine the reading level of each student and to measure growth. Students typically finish a Star Reading test in fewer than 30 minutes.

Star Math in grades 1-11Star Math is a customized math test for students to take on a computer. Teachers in the SDMA use Star Math to assist in determining the math level of each student and to measure growth. Students typically finish a Star Math test in fewer than 30 minutes.